FYI Food: Asian New Year coming up

Whole Foods Market is having a sampling from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 for Things We Love at 9101 Strada Place, North Naples. Vote for your favorite recipe as you taste each department's recipe and enter to win a $25 Whole Foods Market gift card. The store is also having a beer tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at a cost of $5. Information: 239-552-5115

Asian street festival

Celebrate the Chinese new year during an Asian street festival from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10 at Charlie Chiang's. The event features tableside demonstrations of Peking duck, rice rolls, handmade dumplings, scallion pancakes and other delicacies, vendors with Asian collectibles, crafts and knickknacks and more. Food treats start at $3. The restaurant is at 12200 U.S. 41 N., North Naples. Reservations: 239-593-6688

Cookbook signing

Barbara Heimann, author of "Memories from My Kitchen" will sign her book from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Garden District, 137 10th St. N., Naples. She also will answer your cooking questions.

Lessons in romantic cooking

Learn how to cook a romantic dinner for two from Alexander Bernard, owner and chef of Alexander's Restaurant. The class will be at noon Saturday, Feb. 9 at the restaurant at 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples. $55, includes lunch and wine. Reservations: 239-262-4999

Mardi Gras

Seminole Casino Immokalee is hosting a Mardi Gras party Tuesday, Feb. 12 with free beads, live entertainment and Cajun-inspired dishes and drink specials at 506 South First St., Immokalee. Food will be available for purchase.

Wine seminar

Artichoke and Company is presenting an educational wine seminar with Jerry Greenfield from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 1410 Rail Head Blvd., North Naples. Sample and learn about major wine types and enjoy light hors d'oeuvres with the selected wines. $38, per person. Reservations: 239-263-6979

Wine sale

Old World Market, 2800 Davis Blvd., East Naples, is reducing its price on 2009 Maison du Lac cabernet sauvignon from Chile to $5.99 per bottle or $59.99 per case. Buy it by the case and you get two bottles free. The store also has wine tastings from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays. Information: 239-692-3020

Joe's Diner, 9331 U.S. 41 N., North Naples, offers a birthday treat at the restaurant. Dine within one week of your birthday, get the restaurant's Reward Card and receive any menu item of your choice for free up to $8. Reward card participants also receive extra credits toward their next visit. Information: 239-254-7929

■ Goldie's Restaurant has expanded its hours to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at 5400 Taylor Road, North Naples. Dine-in, take out or get it delivered. Call 239-591-3400 for more information.

■ Chrissy B's, Tanglewood Plaza, 4910 U.S. 41 N., North Naples, is now open for dinners from 5 p.m. to close only on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

■ Red's Fresh Seafood House & Tavern has outfitted a specially built food truck that will take to the streets across Southwest Florida. The truck will sell more than seafood, with a menu that offers, ribs, steak, chicken, salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and burritos. The restaurant is at 10880 Stringfellow Road, Pine Island. Go to www.redsfreshseafood.com for more information.

■ Cracker Barrel is featuring a new winter menu through March 17, including Pacific salmon patties paired with two sides for $7.69.

Freebies

Order a sandwich for $12 at lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Bice, 300 Fifth Ave. S., Naples and fries and salad now come free. The restaurant also has free Internet access. Early bird specials consisting of three courses are from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 9:30 p.m. to close there is a $24 dinner with one glass of selected wine. Call 239-262-4044 for reservations.

It's not a fish story

Southwest Florida McDonald's will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Filet-O-Fish with the newest fish item, Fish McBites, through March. The wild-caught Alaska Pollock bites come in 3-, 5- and 10-ounce sizes. They also will be an option in the Happy Meal. The snack size will be offered for $1 today and Thursday, Feb. 7.Wendy's is offering quality premium cod for a limited time to make every day a fish fry day. The cod is lightly breaded in panko crumbs and topped with lettuce and tartar sauce.

Grammy gift bag

Royal Palm Chocolates of Naples will be included in the Grammy Foundations Music Preservation Project celebration gift bag on Thursday, Feb. 7. A special collection of the season's newest flavors and its signature vanilla caramel, dark ganache and classic raspberry will be part of the gift box.

For your information

Did you know that cheese closes the stomach and should be served at the end of the meal?